Bower named as runner up in #ThinkLanguages competition
Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone, has been named as runners up at National #ThinkLanguages Champion Team of the Year competition.
The competition took place on Thursday at The Clock Tower in the Department of Education and Youth, marking a vibrant celebration of language learning.
Three finalists' teams made up of transition year students from across Ireland, including a team from our Lady’s Bower, Athlone, showcased their creativity and commitment to languages, with Ennistymon Community School, Clare crowned winners on the day.
This year’s finalist teams also included students from Mark's Community School, Tallaght.
The teams’ exceptional teamwork and innovative approach to promoting language learning during their #ThinkLanguages Week celebrations secured their place in the final, standing out among entries from schools across Ireland. Each school submitted a vlog-style entry reflecting the competition’s themes of enhancing life skills, creating global opportunities, and fostering broader personal connections.
The competition underscores the essential role that foreign language skills play in both personal growth and professional success. This focus is at the heart of #ThinkLanguages Week, which serves as the foundation for the #ThinkLanguages Champion Team Competition
Commenting on the significance of the #ThinkLanguages final, Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton noted: “#ThinkLanguages highlights the vital role languages play in creating inclusive, connected, and opportunity rich futures for young people. I commend all the students, teachers, and partners involved in the initiative. Language learning fosters understanding, empathy, and global citizenship—qualities clearly demonstrated by today’s finalists. Congratulations to them all, especially the winning team from Ennistymon Community School, and may they continue to champion languages in their studies and future careers.”
The final also featured Meabh McMahon, Euronews journalist, broadcaster and multilinguist, as a guest speaker, inspiring students with insights into the global impact of multilingualism.
Ennistymon Community School now has the opportunity to travel to Brussels as part of their prize, offering them the opportunity to experience languages in action at the heart of Europe and explore careers within EU institutions.
The prize once again is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and its “A Career for EU Strategy”.
#ThinkLanguages Week continues to grow year on year and this year the ninth #ThinkLanguages celebration will take place in schools and venues nationwide during the week of November 16-20.